Controlling means for electric circuits.



No. 835,074` PATENTED NOV. 6, 1906.

' J. K. LUX.v GONTROLLING MEANS POB. ELECTRIC CIRCUITS.

APPLICATION FILED 00T.11. 1904.

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nu film" ff 2 SHEETS- SHEET 1.

No. 835,074. PATBNTED Nov. 6, 1906.

J. K. LUX. CONTROLLING MEANS FOR ELECTRIC CIRCUITS.

APPLICATION FILED 0CT.11, 1904.

UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE.

' Specication of Letters Patent.

ratgntedpmv. e, 1906.-

To alZZ lil/hom, it may concern,.-

Be it known that I, JULIUS K. LUX, a-citi zen o'r' the United States, residing at St. Louis, in the State of Missouri,have invented certain newu andr-usefl1llmprovements in- Controlling Means forElectric Circuits, of'

which the following is a specification. L.-., The principles of m invention are embodied in/the form o a single-pole snapswitch. l

My im roved construction .comprises i means for ocating the lfixed. contacts 1n recesses below the major upper surface while disposing the binding-posts thereforabove the said Aupper' surface ofthe base, means on the base for restricting arcing whena circuit is being' opened, means superimposed' over the base for restricting arcing when a circuit .is being. opened, a novel detaining means and methodof construction of the parts related thereto thatv cheapens production, means for positionin the operatin ,-handle oran indicator, orv bot of these, so t at theyl or either of them will indicate the positionof the mechanism with substantial uniformity and interchangeably and without minutely- Other features of* inventionireside in the l construction, arrangement, and combination of the several parts, as hereinafter described.l In the accompanying drawings, Figure 1 is a plan view wlth u per porcelain A4v .and cover N removed. ig. '2 1s a erpendicular sectionalview on line 2 2 of Fig. 1, showin the handle E, the indicating means G4, an

the means for positioning the two latter parts i lWithrelation to'v the mechanism.A Fig. 2A is a horizontal sectional view of an operatinghandle iitted with my improved positioning means. Fig. 3 is a plan viewI ona reduced scale, of the device. Fig. 4 1s an inverted plan view of the porcelain topA4 vand the cover N, showing means A for fastening those parts together. Fig. 4 is a detail section viewonthe lineea 4 of 4. Fig. 5 is a perpendicular sectional view taken transversel to that of Fig. 2 or about on the line 5 54o Fig. 1. F' 6 is adetail'view comanionab e with Fig.' 5, showing-the elements 1n elevation. lFi 7 is a perspective-view of the collar F. ig.. 8 is a perspective view in detail-'of a part oi.` the operating mechanism. Fig. 9 1s a perspective, view ofthe` movable detaining means. Fig. 410 is a perspective View ofthe cam -for operatin,a \thev movable contact.

-piece D. l the moving tain the sai movable detaining means, showing the spindle broken away and showing the means for fastening the cam to the spindle. Fig. 11 is a perspective view of the bearin iece for the. moving parts andof the fixerdetaining means. Fig. 12 is a erspective view of the 1g.V 13 is a perspective view of the spindle, and Fig. 14 is a perspecl tive view of the fixed contact.' Fig. 15 is `a view ofa modified form .of spindle with `both slots for the cam parts at right angles to the spindle and showing a modified -u per cam.

'p1ece. The said parts are part y broken away to .economze space.

Referrin `to lthe drawings 1n detail, A indicates t e base, made of. porcelain or other suitable material.

D indicates a bearing-piece for. moving parts of the mechanism. piece is formed with downwardly-projecting he said bearingportions, D2 D7, which are inserted in recesses in the base, serving to hold the part D' in a fixed osition.

D6 D Aand 7 D7 indicate detents formed as ratchet-teeth on the edge of the bearin The lsaid detents coperate wit arts of the device, s o as -to d emoving parts, during the initial movementof the hereinafter-described energizing means and -until a redetermined amount of energy is stored in t e hereinafter-l described yielding actuating means or spring. The said detents also act as sto s to limit the successive movements of thel evice.

I indicates the movable contact, which'is revolubly mounted. It has ends bent downwardly in position to come into rubbing or sliding-enga scribed iixe contacts. contact has va perforation D5, through which' a portion of the hereinafter-described cooperative detainjng means or latch L projects so as to: engage the iixed detaining means. T he Asaidjmovable contact is perforated at the center. It has a bearing on the spindle G3, on the part Dand on the hereinafter-described'cam-collar L.-

n L indicates a -coperative detaining means or detent. I It is 'formed as a swinging 'or rocking cam-operated latch. The free end ement with the hereinafter-de- Thel said'movable roo of L is bent downwardly at about a. right '.angle. It projects through the aperture D5 in the movable contact and successively' en ages the fixed detaining means-D and D7.

indicates means for positively moving no` y part M is integral with L2.

Ll indicates a cam-faced piece struck-up;

from sheet metal, so as t havel a lower face perpendicular to its axisto bear on the movablev contact, and an upper face inclined relatively to the lower one to engage the part L.

- may be. made integral-that is, joined te- A slotted and a central portion of the part L is parallel tothe-lower face thereof, so as tofit' into a slot inthe spindleGa, which; latter slot is preferably perpendicular to the axis 'of the spindle.

L2l indicates a piece stamped out of sheet* metal, so as to have its upper and lower surfaces parallel yand with a slot extendin to the central portion thereof, so as to fit-into another slot inthe spindle G3, whichlatter slot is inclinedrelatively to the lower surface of L and parallel with the upper surface thereof. The upper surface of- L forms a cam for movingv the'part L, and it rocks or tilts the-latter part to and from the fixed detainingmeans WD7'. The art L2 holds the part L in contact with t e cam-face on L. Means other than LZ may be used to-hold- L and L in engagement, or the part-SL and L2 gether as at the part M and so ais-tov forma Ueshaped piece with circular flat sides. part L2 may be like the part L and inverted,| so that both slots in the spindle for the-cam n movement may be perpendicular to the axis,

adaptedl to' either single or double as shown at 'L5 of Fig. 15. The-spindle G3 is slotted, referably, on two opposite sides, so that tlieases of the'slots are parallel.

The=circular parts F, L, and L2 have slots to 4fit the bottoms of those in the spindle, allowing the said parts-to be slipped onto-the spindle;'s'o-that they are concentric therewith andilfit-the same; Extending the saidI carnsurf'ace arcuri-df and' to opposite-sides of 'the spindle'reduces cramping and binding to the` minimum andmakes the vdevice inr every way morev satisfactory. To preventthe working looseand-'withdrawal ofthe said circularparts-from the spindle, af portionof each. of the parts F=, L', and L2 is displaced or'set'y over, as withv a chisel or punch, intoA theslot' formed in those parts and against the spindle, thus locking or riveting thecircular parts as against withdrawal from `'the spindle, as shown in Figs. l 'and 10. This construction and fastening-'does not multiply the pieces. Itis compact, cheap,siinple, and effective;

The herein-described constructiony oftheI movable detaining means and the cam for o erating: itv produces a movement which isw olly self-contained and-not dependent upon= any fitting to or precise adjustment with thee contacts.- It affords a movement switches-'and'i to any usual form of ed contacts.'- in vtlfieflastenanied form of device Thel olel

a:second'lmovablercontaot may be mounted with and insulated from the one here shown by any of the means usual in the art.

-the col anis slightlyv thicker than the other,

and'it is also slightlybent up, so as to form a catch or tooth to engage another part, hereinafter described;

B B indicate terminals which-'comprise receptacles for receiving the'wires -B2 B2, which latter are secured in-position by means of the binding-screws B3 B3.

C C indicate xed contacts which are preferably yielding. They have a-fastening orti'on parallel with the top= of the base. he free ends are bent abruptlyy downward toabout a ri ht an le, thencurved toward the center oft e device 'and' bent upwardly, so as to have contacting surfaces-about perpendicular to the base, and thosey surfaces are curved so' as-to be concentric with I.4 The central part of thebent portion is preferably cut away, so as to make the Whole'more elastic; Two of these pieces-oi'- springs are used foreach contact, one folded' over or outside' of thel other and arranged to: receiver the movable contact betweentheir free ends, forming a' knife-contact'.

Tmportant features of improvement reside in--the novel arrangement'of'the' terminals and'y contact-brushes. The latter are' disosed below the major upper'fsurface ofthe Base and below the receptacle-,or-bindingpost. By .this means theyA` are further-'removed from the moving artsof the-device, so asrk to reduce liability o 'burning the-latter.' The contactsuiifaces of the brushesmay be\ located nearer 'the oenterline= of thef recap-- tacle or binding'- post and-radially' farther from the center line of vtlie'movable -contacts withy al given size of base-than wouldfbe the case were the brushes-arranged' betweenI the and necessary elastic movement of the. fixed:

contacts, and narrow circular slots inthe. Ybase (indicated by A3 A3.) connect the'said re cesses so'that the-movable contact on leavingthe iixedcontacts 'travels the narrow slots,

-thefcurvatu're'- and narrow confines of lwhich latter form abiti-tier andrestrict ar-cing when-` a circuit isb'roken. A circular' groovelabout a rais-,dcentral portion ofi't'heb'asepn com- IOO ' 6o those irregular parts separately 4and wit am the Jfirst to provide means for curving the spark-gap about a (convex) raised central portion of the base in combination with a movable contact the free end of which is during the major part of each revolution free from engagement or contact with fixed part-s of the device and with a snap rotary movement which rovides a curved spark-gap about the sai convex central portion of the base, which latter acts as a barrier between the fixed and movable contacts when the dejvice is opened. It alsoforms a barrier between the fixed contacts. The said barrier toward or about the center of the su port, the narrow confines ofthe curved'sparl-gap, and the snap rotary movement of the movable contact around the barrier and through ythe narrow s ark-gap enables the breaking of circuits o greater -voltage and ampres than has been usual with devices of this class. The binding-posts are fastened to the base by means of screws which are inserted from underneath, as is usual. The contactbrushes are clamped in place by the bindingposts and the fastenings thereof.

A4 indicates a piece made of-porcelain or other suitable material. It forms a cover for thedevice and comprises the surfaces or arts A5, A, A", and A8. It has been usual,

r, st, to form shell-like covers (for switches) of insulating material and also to provide shell-like`inetallic covers lined with insulation, the latter part cover; second', it has been usual to dispose some of the conductiveparts of switches at upper and'som'e at lower surfaces of insulating material, so that the said conductive parts, and particularly the lower ones, are difiicult of inspection, adjustment, and Ireair, iisually necessary to remove the conductors, the fixed, or the movable contacts. My new arrangement differs from the rst as above in the same sense that a molded imprint or cast differs from a box or ordinary container. It

- differs from the second as above in that the conductors and all conductive parts of the device remain stationary, and upon the rev moval ofthe. cover they are'all accessible. I believe. that I am the first to adapt a removable coverv as herein described to a snapswitch so that insulation fits snugly about the'irregula-r conductive parts-of the device and so as to shut in or encompassv or envelop substantia uniformity'and so as to impose removable barriers of insulation between'the,

several parts of the device. In other Words, the said irregular and in the art; but I believe I snugly fittedto the metal and to have access to the parts it is the latter `partwill conductive arts of the device in insulating material. he part A4 acts as a cover or shield against external interference and also as a barrier between the several arts within, so as to se arate and separately inclose those parts wit insulating material. By fixing the barriers to the cover instead of to thebase the barriers are more universally applied, and the mechanism is at the same time wholly accessible upon the removal of the cover. The surface of porcelain indicated'by A5 is superimposed over the horizontal fixed contacts C', and the portions A5 A7 are superimposed over the horizontal'portion of the movable contact and in proximity to the the base A. A horizontal groove is thus formed between the porcelain piece A4 and the base A. This horizontal groove, is traversed -by the movable contact, and the said groove serves to restrict arcing at all times, and especially'when a circuit is about to be broken. .l

A5 is superimposed over the grooves A3, the fixed contacts in the recesses A, and the horizontal and perpendicular extremities of the movable contact. The surface or part A? is superimposed over the horizontal middle portion of the-movable contact.l A8 inclose the receptacles B. The part A4 as. above is lpreferably secured to the hereinafter-descri ed cover N by means-of the ears N', which are bent out of N Vso as to hold those parts together. The part A4 projects' from the cover N toward (or to) the base A.

`'lhehorizontal part of the movable contact .is between the upper face of the porcelain base A and the lower face of the portions A5 and A7. The part A4 covers the terminals B and the fixed contacts C,'so as tofurther inclose parts where sparking is liable to occur, and itis superimposed over the curved slots A3, so as to further' restrict or hinder arcing when a circuit isbeing opened. The part A4 The recesses may be used as a cover to the exclusion of the part N, in which case the markings shown on be inscribed on the part A4. A portion of the groove A3, the barrier A5,*-or Aone recess As` will act much the same as the preferred form shown, but not so well. `'Ihe perpendicular extremities of the movable contact may be omitted, and the usual form of horizontal movable and of their cooperative xed contacts may be used. N isV a metal casing or cover lnclosing the part A4 and the operatin I nechanism.

E is an operating-han e for the device. It is preferably screwed'on the splndle G3., the threaded portion serving as a journal for the handle; but it `may be connected in any manner. which will allow the handle to normally rotate in one direction without operating the s aid movable contact.

G4 represents means for positively indicatin the positionsof the mechanism or movab e contacts. vIt is arranged outside of the 4with the operating-handle E. Such integral arrangement calls for a loose or free backward movement of those parts. Means arranged outside of a removable cover to indi- -cate the posltion of the movable contact have 'usually been fixed to the spindle so as to have substantially no loose or free backward movement. If such indicating means be affixed to switches of this type, a backward movement of the spindle could be given which would cause the coperative contacts to engage backwardlyand to burn out or to otherwisel disarrange or injure the parts. To'

avoid this, the handles on switches of this type have been made with screw-threaded connections for the handles, so as to screw solidly up to a shoulder orend. The back- .ward movement unscrews the handle without turning the spindle.

Handles and indicators definitely posi- Ationed relatively to the movable contact have been usual in the art; but all handles or external indicators having the said heretofore usual means for definitely positioning those parts relatively to the operating mechanism, as herein set forth, influence or operate the spindle in both directions. My improved positioning means for the -handle and indicator causes the latter parts to move in unison with the mechanism in but one direction, while at the same time the said means definitely positions the said handle and indicator and operatively connects them with the device, The said positioning means extends the advantages of a positive indication outside of the cover to a class ofswitches in which it is essential that the spindlevbe influenced or rotated in one direction only.

When the handle is screwed upl toa shoul-v der, it does not make a suitable indicating means adapted to the conditions and require- Y ments of manufacture-and use that obtain in the art. A minute excess.` or deficiency of material at the screw-shoulder will cause'the handle to give a' faulty indication, one-,eighth of a' turn on'the screw-thread sufficing to indicate midway between successive positions of the device and one-fourth turn on'the screw-thread indicating open when; in fact, it is:v closed. i Wear and stress of the threaded parts will in a short time cause faultyindicationsl to be given, (by the handle,) and if the wrong handle-that is, a handle otherthan the `one especially fitted to a particular switch-be used inaccurate and even reverse indications will be made.

Any irregularly-formed handle with screw-` tliread\,-\suchzas have been usual in the art', would indicate satisfactorily, but for faults or difliculties, such as herein set forth, and

even if it were commercially practicable to fit.

ed portions.

inaccurate to confuse all and to make them lunsatisfactory and undependable. This particularly follows where they are installed in numbers or gangsj-that is to say (first) that the minute exactness required, (second) the changes due to stress and wear of the threaded parts, and (third) the non-interchangeableness of the handles, as above referred to, is eac-l1 alone prohibitive to manufacture or use in the present state of the art, and they have necessitated other well-known indicating means being used, which latter add to the cost and do not give such unmistakable or conspicuous indications asl does my improved arrangement. My arrangement adapts either the handle E or the indicator G4 or both of these to give uniform indications.

It has been usual in the art to screw the handle home on the spindle so that those parts are screwed home or jammed solidly together, so as to be comparable with a fricvtion-drive.

In my improved construction said parts are not jammed or screwed solidly together, but have grooved or notched and toothed or angular formsl or have recessed and projecting portions and preferably a spring influencing the engagement therebetween, so as to be comparable with a ratchetdrive. My improved connection normally is substantially freevfrom'upward jamming or stress on the threaded portion of the spindle.

One of the objects of myinvention is to IOO provide a positioning stop or surface for the indicator or for the handle or for both of these, which stop' is independent of the usual jammed shoulder or seat of the screw-thread- I provide a positioning-surface for' the indicator, which positioning-surface is at a substantial angle and preferably perpendicular to the plane of rotating movement of the removable (screw-threaded) portions. The herein-described positioning-surl faces position the indicating means without the screw-threaded parts being jammed solidly together, while leaving the handle free ito turn in one direction without influencing .the movable Contact.

When the handle is screwed down 011 the spindle, the preferably lperpendicular cooperative stopping or driving or positioning surfacesv or means c ome vinto engagement substantially without jammin or ressin u` wardly a ainst the itch of tlgie scli'ew-thiea-.that is? without geing screwed home as has been usual-and lto screw the' handle farther down, as maybe `desirable inlorder to bind the cover, it is necessary to pull the handle upwardly (compressing the spring in the handle) until the cooperative stopping-surfaces are separated, when the handle may be screwed VJfarther down until the said stopping or driving surfaces en age again, butto a greater extent thanbe ore.v T

e rst as well as the succeeding engage# ments ofthe coperative driving or positioning means being prearranged, invariably indicate the positions of the contacts with precision. u l

I form a stop or catch or carrier, which is affixed to the movable parts of the Iswitch, ywithout recourse. or reference to any screwshoulder, so as to provide means for turning the switch mechanism in a forward but not a y backward direction. It is, in edect, aratchettooth having a per endicular front and inclined rearward sur ace, as shown at E2, fixed to the indicating-handle, and in itspreferred collar F for a given number of turns and then engages therewith,-I so as to carry the spindle,

but leaving it free to be turned backwardly on the screw-thread without'infiuencing the switch mechanism. It may, however, 4be arranged to turn backwardly without unscrewing'. This connection is complete and operative withoutl the sliding and spring move` ment which is iven to the said ratchet-tooth E2, as hereina ter described.

Some of the objects attainedare that the removable indicating means 1ra be applied interchangeably so as to norm aliy deter. ine and assure certain invariable positions of the said indicating means or ofthe operatinghandle or both of these relatively to the n ovable contact, the said handle beii'ig Iiorir ally rotatable in one direction without operating the movable contact, and the handle, the .in-

- dicaftor, and thecover are made-easily re- 'anisrn` The usual indicat' inside the cover is dispensedwith, thereby removable'from the said support to give con;- plete access to the terminals and to the mech- -dial 'rotating ducing the cost. The impact on thedetaining means is reduced by relieving the same' from the impact due to the wei ht and movement of the said usual dial. he number of detachable parts is reduced by'- eliminating said rotating di'al and combining the handle,

' indicat' the indicator, and the cover in tworemovable units, thereby'reducing the liabilit of operation othemdevice without the pre etermined 1neans-as, for example, if the usual indlcator be lost. 'The usual aperture in the cover for exposing the indicator to view and also the cost of insulating the said rotary dial'from .the rotary contact are disthe 'ratchet'-- so as not to lturn in the andle.

pensed with and the device is made substantially dust, moisture, and insect proof, anl iilnportant consideration in devices of this c ass.

onto the spindle G3, 1s referablyhexagonal,

It has a relatively slender middle portion, about Which a coiled spring is loosely wound, with one end iiXed to the upper end ofthe sliding threaded piece and the other end of the springiixed to the handle proper, so as to press the threaded sliding piece into the handle. This spring arrangementhas been usual to hold the cover 8e snugly to the base. It-performs a like service in this device, but in addition it holds the part Ezto the collar and spindle Gr3 with a moderate yielding pressure sufficient to prevent the part from unscrewing too freely. It 8 5 permits of theraising of the ratchet-tooth E2 away from and out of engagementwith the collar F, so as to start it on another revolution on the spindle, -and when the tooth E2 I again comes in line with the slot in the collar gol 0 l F the spring causes it to snapdown into the said slot, so as to engage the ratchet-tooth on the collar F to a greater depth than before and to yieldingly lock the parts together, so

' that upon a backward turning ofthe handle` 95 the inclined rearward surface ofthe tooth E2 causes it to withdraw'under spring-pressure from the slot in the collar F. y

When the coperative positioning means first come into engagement, the spring in the roo handle .only ur es the parts into position fon engagement. hen the handle is screwed iartherdown on the spindle, thel rearward 1nlclined portion of E2 coacts with the said springand one side of the slot in F, so that :o5 t e positioning-surfaces of E2 and f F. are pressedintg actual engagement-that is -to say, the spring in the handle not only urges thesaid cooperative positioning means into position where a turning of the handle will -rro cause coopera-tive engagement, but italso (when screwed down) urges'the same into actual enagement. The said eater enga ei "ment o "the ratchet-teetho `tained by t e x sliding and spring arrangements is more useful 1 1 5 in large than small devices: -The cover N and the part Affare provided with notches, so

as to engage a projection 'on the base to hold those parts in a predetermined relative posi--V marked onl the' cover in suitable'positions... Whenthe parts are in the position shown in Fig. 1, the part L is in engagement with the face of one and the bottom of the preceding` detent:v This bottom engagement of' the 125 part L tends to hold the movable contact as against free backward turning thereof,- prevents urther backward turning of the cam, and keeps the spring J under moderate stress. Onturning the handle to operate the-device 13o The part E2 is preferably fixed-rigidly to- 7o the handle E. The portion E3, lwhich screws the stress of the spring J is gradually increased, and the latch L is gradually withdrawn from engagement with the detent by the action of the cam. When freed from that detent, the contact and part L are by the action of the spring J carried around withv greater celerity than the cam L, which causes the part L to descend about on a line with the inclinedsurface of the fixed detaining means, so as to engage the next detent, as before described.

I claim- 1. In a rotary snap-switch, -a rotarycontact, means for operating the same, said operating means yincludinya handle normally movable in one rotary irection Without operating the `said `contact, and means disposed at an angl-e to the plane of rotary movement of said contact for positioning the said handle relatively to the said-movable contact.

2. In a circuit-controlling device, a suit- Iable'support, an electrical contact carried thereby, ya movable contact rotating about an axis to cooperate with the first-mentioned contact, operating means including yielding means for actuating said movable contact with snap movements and a handle having driving connection therewith, ysaid handle being normally rotatable in one direction without operating the said movable contact, a Vcover for parts of the device, means exterior to the 'cover for indicating the position of the movable contact, said means having normal movement independent of said movable contact and a stopping-bearing for positioning the said indicator relatively to the movable contact which bea-ring is disposed -at an angle to the plan-e of normal rotary movement oi the said indicator, to normally determineand assure certain invariable relative positions of the said indicator and movable contact whereby the positionoi .jbetween said handle and` said operating means, said ldriving connection including a positioning-bearing adjacent the sa'id handle'- rnounting journal, said positioning-bearing being disposed at an angleto the plane of normal rotary movement oi the handle, for nor- I mally determining and assuring certain invariab-le relative positions of the said handle I andmovable contact.

4. Ina circuit-controlling ldevice, :a suitable support, an electrical contact carried @amava l thereby', a movable contact lrotating about an Iaxis to -coperate with the `i'irst-mentioned contact, a journal part for an operatinghandle, operating means including yielding means for actuating said movable contact with snap movements, an operating-handle comprising a bearing part whereon it is normally rotatable upon said journal part in one direction without operating tlie said movable contact, a casin or cover for parts of 7 5 the device, circuit-in icating means exterior to the said cover, positioning means borne by the said indicator for positioning the saine relatively to the said movable contact, said positioning ineans being movable relatively to the said bearing part on the handle.

'5. In a rotary`snap-switch having 'a removable cover for parts of the device, a rotary contact, means for operating the same, said operating means bearing a portion normally movable in one rotary direction Without operating the said contact, means exterior to the cover for indicating the position of the rotary contact, and mea-ns for positioning the said indicator relatively to the sai-d contact which means Icomprises a g-rooved .portion and a second .part coperatively engaging a face of the said groove for normally determining and assuring certain invariable relative positions of said indicator and cont-act whereby the position of the latter at all times may be truly indicated.

6. -In a circuit-controlling device, a suitable support, an electrical contactl car'ried thereby, a movable contact rotating about an axis to coperate with the first-mentioned contact, operating means including yielding means for actuating said movable contact with snap movements and a handle having driving connection therewith, said handle being normally rotatable in one direction without operating the said movable contact, a casing or cover for parts of 'the device, circuit-indicating means exterior to the cover, said means having normal movement iridependent ofthe movable contact, a connection between the said indicating means and the said movable contact, said connection comprising a toothed portion and a second part cooperatively engaging a face of the said tooth IOO IIO

for normally determining and assuring certain invariable relative positions of the said indicator and movable contact whereby the position of the latter at all times m-ay be truly indicated. l

7. In a rotary snap-switch, Aa rotar contact, means for-operating the same, sai operating means bearing a portion normally movable in 'one rotary direction without operating the said Contact, means for indicating the position of. the movable contact, and a ratchet -connection for positioning the said indicating means relatively to the said movable contact'.

V8. In a circuit-controlling device, a suit- .L handle' with said operating means normally the said operating means for positioning said indicating means, cooperative positioning means secured to the indicator, and yielding means for urging the said coacting positioning means into engagement.

9. In a circuit-controlling device, a suitable support, an electrical contact carried thereby, a movable contact rotating about.

an-axis to coperate with the first-mentioned contact, operating means including'yielding means for actuating said contact with snap movements and a handle having a driving connection therewith, said connection of said permitting a rotary movement of the handle in one' direction Without operating the said movable contact, a driven bearing or connection on said operating means for engagement with said driving connection of the handle,

andyielding means urging the said operating connections or bearings in to position for engagement.

10. Ina circuit-controlling device, a suitable support, an electrical contact carried thereby, a movable contact rotating about an axis to coperate with vthe iirst-mentioned contact, operating means including yielding means for actuating said movable contact with snap movements and a handle having driving connection therewith, [said handle being normally rotatable in one direction without operating the said movable contact,

a casing or cover forparts 4of the device, circuit-indicating means exterior to the cover, means secured to the said operatingnieans for positioning said indicator, a 'second positioning meanssecuredto the indicator, and

l# yielding means for urging the, said coperaaxisto coperate with the iirst-mentioned tive positioning means into position Afor engagement. l y

11. In a circuit-controlling device, a suitable support, an'electrical contact carried thereby, a movable contact rotating about an contact, operating "means including yielding means for actuating said contact With-snap movements anda handle having a threaded' and a driving connection therewith, said handlebeing normally rotatable invone direction withoutoperating the said movable contact,- a drivenconnection on said operating means for engagement with `said driving connection of the handle, said driven A'connection,com-v prising a positioningace disposed at an angle to the plane of normal rotating movement of the said driving'connection, for normally determining and assuring certain invariable relative positions of the said handle andmovable contact Whereb the position of the lattru ter at all times mayy e y indicated.

12. In a circuit-controlling device, a suitable support, an electrical contact carried thereby, a second contact rotating about an axis to cooperate with the first-mentioned contact, yielding means for actuating said second contact with snap movements, an operating-handle and connectionstherefrom to said yielding means, said handle threading onto said connections to b'e removable therefrom and normally rotatable in one direction 'without operating the said movable contact,

a stop carried by' said handle, a second stop positioned in the path of the said first sto to permit said first stop to move into the pat of the said second stop, said stops having relative movement after the rst'stop is in the path of the said second stop and effecting operative engagement therebetween.

13. In a circuit-controlling device, a suitable support, an electrical lcontact carried thereby, a rotary s indle, a rotary contact connected with sai spindle and adapted to coperate with the first-mentioned contact,

lelding actuating means operatively conv .nected with the said rota contact, energizing means normally rotata le in one direction without operating the movable contact with which the said yielding actuating means is also operatively connected', fixed detainingmeans for the movable contact, a collar bearing means for positioning the said energizing means disposed 'at an angle tothe plane of movement of the movable contact relatively to the movable contact, said collarhaving an opening in the side into which the aforesaid lOO' spindle is iitted and thereby secured, means gx coperating with the said ixed detaining means for successively detainingand releasing the said -rotary contact, whereby the cooperative contacts are urged. together and `apart by saidyielding actuating means.

14. In a circuit-controlling device, a suitable support, a contact carried thereby, a

second contact rotating about an axis to coo crate with the first-mentioned contact, yielding means for actuating said secondcontact with snap movements, means for energizing said actuating means, means for detaining said second contact and means for releasing said second contact from said detaining means, said releasing means comprising a cam movable about .an axis and having acam-surface extended inan oblique lane 'on opposite sides of the said axis, to re ease the `detaining means from its connection with the movable contact. A y

15;' In a circuit-controlling device, a "suitable support, a contact carried thereby, a` second contact rotating` about an axis to cooperate wi h the first-mentioned contact,

` yielding means for actuating said second contact with snapmovements, means for enernection with the movable contact.

16. In a circuit-controlling device, a suitable support, a contact carried thereby, a second contact rotating about an axis to cooperate `With thel iirst-mentioned contact, yielding means for actuating said second contact with snap movements, means for en,- ergizing said actuating means, means' for detaining said second contact and means for releasing said second contact from said detaining means, said releasing means comprising a rotary shaft, a plate mounted thereon having a surface through which said shaft passes at an oblique angle thereto, said surface engaging said detaining means and acting as a cam to actuate said means to release said movable contact upon sufficientrotation of the shaft.

17. In a circuit-controlling device, a suitable support, acontact carried thereby, a second contact rotating about an axis to eooperate with said first-mentioned contact, yielding means for actuating said second contact with snap movements, means for energizing said actuating means, means for detaining said second contact and means for releasing said second contact from said detaining means, said releasin@r means comprising a rotary shaft, a part s otted to engage` a groove in said shaft and be carried thereby, said part having a cam-surface in an oblique plane relatively to the axis of the movable contact to release the said yieldingly-actuated parts.

18. In a circuit-controlling device, a suitable support, a contact carriedfthereby, a second contact rotating about an axis to cooperate With said first-mentioned contact, yielding means for actuating said second contact with snap movements, means for energizing said actuating means, means for detaining said second contact and means for releasing said second contactfrom said detaining means, said releasing means comprising a rotary shaft, a portion comprising substantially parallel cam-surfaces in oblique'planes relatively to the said shaft, and said detaining means having a portion bearing on both of said cam-surfaces for operating the said detaining means to release the said movable contact.

19. In a circuit-controlling device, a suitable support, a contact 'carried thereby, a Second contact rotating about an axis to cooperate with the first-mentioned contact,

Athe said shaft the axis of which swinging yielding means for actuating said second conmovement lies in a plane substantially at right angles to said shaft, and a cam turned by said shaft to rock said detent out of stopping engagement with said detaining means to release the said yieldiiwly-actuated parts.

20. In a circuit-control ing device, a suit- ,able support, a contact carried thereby, a

second contact rotating about an'axis to cooperate with the first-mentioned contact, yielding means for actuating said second contact with snap movements, means for energizing said actuating means, means for detaining said second contact and means'for r'eleasing said second contact from said detaining means, said releasing means comprising a rotary shaft, a plate slotted 'to engage a groove in said shaft and be carried thereby, said plate having a portion of the metal thereof displaced to protrude into the slot to act as a lock for the plate to the shaft, said plate having a cam-surface foi` operating said releasing means to release the said yieldinglyactuated parts.

21. In a snap opening and closing circuitcontrolling device, a suitable support, an electrical contact carried thereby, a contact member movable about an axis into and out of engagement with the first-mentioned. contact, a portion of insulating material having a downwardly-extending grooved part,'said movable contact having a portieri extending downwardly into said groove but permanently spaced from the said insulating portion and adapted to cooperatively engage the said iirst contact, and means for effecting a snap opening and closing of the circuit.

22. In a snap opening and closing circuitcontrolling device, a support of insulating material having a depression therein forming a restricted passage-way extending downwardly and below the central portion of the support, an electrical contact carried by the said support, a contact part arranged over thesaid central portion of the support and movable about an'axisinto and out of engagement with the rst-mentioned contact, said movable contact having a portion extending downwardly below the central portion of the support to travel in the said restricted passage way but permanently spaced from the said insulation, and adapted to cooperatively engage the said first contact, and means for effecting a'snap opening and closing of the circuit.

23. In a snap opening and closing circuitcontrolling device, -a suitable support, a portion of insulating material having a downwardly-extending cavity formed therein, a

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tact mem er movable about an axis into an `means for effectingA out of enga ement with the said contacting portion, am. a restricted (passage-way for said movable contact forme in said insulating material adjacent -said cavity, and means for effectinga snap opening and closing of the circuit. g u

24. In a snap opening and closing circuitcontrolling device, an insulating-support, an electrical contact carried thereby, a contact member mounted on the said'support and movable about an axis into and out of engagement with the first-mentioned contact, a snap opening and closing of the Icircuit, aV removable covei` for inclosing moving parts of the device, said removable cover comprising a jutting barrier of insulating material of irregular contour to conform to the irregularities of the arts, said barrier being spaced from the sai support and movable contact member to form a 'restricted lpassage-way between the said'bar- -rier Vand t e said support in which passageway the free end of the said contact member moves. j s

2,5. In a snap opening and closing circuitcontrolling device, a suitable support, an electrical contact carried thereby, a contact member moyable about an axis into and out of engagement with the first-mentioned .contact, a portion of insulating material having a downwardly-extending grooved part, said movable contact having a portion extending.

downwardly into said groove but permanently spaced from the said insulating ortion and adapted to/coperatively engage t e said irst contact, a barrier of insulating material superimdposed over and closely adjacent to the sai groove and means for effecting a snap opening and closing ofthe circuit.

26. In a snap opening and closingcircuitcontrolling device, a support of insulating material having a depression therein forming a restricted passage-way extendingy downwardly and below the central portion of the supcpo't, an electrical contact carried by the sai support, a contact part arranged over the sai central portion of the support and movable about an axis into and out o engage'- ment with the. firstmentioned contact, said movable contact having a portion extending downwardly below the central portion of the supportto travel in the said restricted/passage-way but permanently spaced from the said insulation and adapted to cooperatively engage thesaid first contact, a barrier of insulating material superimposed `.over and closely adjacent to the said downwardly-extending restricted passage-Way, and means for effecting a snap opening and closing of the circuit.'

27. In a snap opening/and closing circuit-4 controlling device, an insulating-support', an.

vper surface of the su said rotary contact,

lelectrical contact carried thereby, a contact 'member mounted on the said support and movable about an axis into and out of engagement with the first-mentioned contact,

means for effecting a-snap o ening and closing of the circuit, removab e meansfor inclosing parts of the device, said removable means comprising a barrier of insulating material conforming with the contour of the upportv and parts carried thereby, said barrier the movable contact an isposed adjacent the movable and fixed conductive parts to restrict arcing therebetween.

28. In a circuit-controlling device, a suitable support, a contact carried thereby, a second contact rotating about an axis to cooperate with the 51st-mentioned contact,

yielding means for actuating the said second.

contact with snap movements, means for energizing said 'actuating means, a rotary, shaft connected with said energizing means. to be turned thereby, means for detaining said second contact, a detent mounted to swing. on the said shaft, the axis of which swinging substantially right angles thereto, anda camv turned by said shaft to rock said detent out.

movement intersects said shaft at of stopping engagement with said detaining means to release the said 'yieldingly-actuated parts.,

29. Ina quick-break switch the combinaein s aced apart fromv tion with wire-fastening means, of a s ring\ contact part having plural substantial y U- shaped' members one of said U-shaped members being disposed within the other and permanently spaced therefrom, and means at the extremity of said U-shaped portionsV for fastening the same to the said wire-fastening means.

30. In a rotary snap-switch, a rotary con-l tact, means for operating the same, said operating means including a portion normally movable in one rotary direction without operating the said contact, said portion bearing means for indicating movable in one rotary direction without operating the said contact, a cover for parts of the device,indicating means exterior to the said cover, 'said' ndicating means having normal operative movement independent of the and abutting means disposed at an angle to the plane of rotary movement of the said contact for positioning said indicator relatively to said rotary contact.

the position of the ro-` tary contact which indicating means has norrop IIO

ble in 'one direction disposed at an angle to the able support, an electrica? contact carried thereby, a second contact rotating about an axis to coperate With the first-mentioned contact, yielding means for actuating said second contact with snapnovements, an operating-handle and a circuit-indicating means operatively connected with the device, said handle threading onto said connections and removable therefrom and normally rotatable in one direction without operating the said movable contact, a stop for positioning said indicating means, another stop carried by said device and extending through a plane inv which the said iirst stop rotates and engaging the said iirst stop, the engagement of said stops acting to position the indicator on its connections and thereby to determine and indicate accurately the position of the movable contact actuated through such connections.

34. In a circuit-controlling device, a suitable support, an electrical Contact carried thereby, a second contact rotating about an axis to coperate with the first-mentioned contact, means whereby the device may be operated, said meansbeing normally rotatawithout operating said second contact, indicating means, and means for positioning the said indicating means, said positioning means including a part having an inclined bearing-surface and a screwthread for holding said positioning means in a predetermined position.

35. In a circuit-controlling device, a suitable support, an electrical contact. carried thereby, a second contact rotating about an axis to coperate with the inst-mentioned contact, means whereby the device may lbe operated, said means being normally rotatable in one direction vwithout operating said second contact, indicating means having nor- V malA rotary movement independent of the said rotary contact, and means forpositionmg the said indicating means, said positioning means including an inclined bearing-surace.

36. In a circuit-controlling device, a suitable support, an electrical contact carried thereby, a second contact rotating about an axis to coperate with the first-mentioned contact, means whereby the device may be operated, said means being normally rotatable in one direction Without operating said second contact, indicating means having normal rotary movement independent of the said rotary contact, and means for positioning the said indicating means, said positioning means including a bearing-surface inclined relatively to the plane of movement of the movable contact.

37. In a circuit-controlling device, a suitable support, an electrical contact carried thereby, a second contact rotating about an axis to coperate with the first-mentioned v contact, means whereby the device may be operated, said means being normally rotatable in one direction Without operating said second contact, indicating means,means for positioning the said indicating means, and yielding means for urging the said indicator into a predetermined position.

38. In a circuit-controlling device, a suitable support, an electrical contact carried thereby, a second contact rotating about an axis to coperate with the first-mentioned contact, means whereby the device may be operated, said means being normally rotatable in one direction without operating said second contact, indicating means, means for positioning the said indicating means, said positioning means including an inclined bearing-surface, and yielding means for urging the said positioning means into a predetermined position. y

3 9. In a circuit-controlling device, a suitable support, an electrical contact carried thereby, a second contact rotating about an axis to coperate with the first-mentioned contact, an operating-handle, said handle being normally rotatable in one direction without operating said second contact, and means for positioning the said operating-handle relatively to the movable contact, said positioning means including a bearing-surface inclined relatively tothe plane of movement of the movable contact.

St. Louis, Missouri, October 6, 1904.

J ULIUS K, LUX.

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